HOME Cricket Drills Ground fielding and throwing

Cricket: Choose the End and back up

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Kanishka

DESCRIPTION

8-10 players per group (set up two drills if coaching a large group)

Set up: Player/coach stands between the two stumps, that are 20 meters apart (length of a wicket). One cone is placed 25m in front of the two stumps, in line with the coach and two cones are placed 2m ahead of these, acting as a 'gate' for the players to walk through when it is their go.

Two further cones are placed 10m behind the two target stumps, where players will be backing up.

The coach will name one end the bowler's end and the other stump the keepers end.

Let's play:

First player walks through the two cones as the coach rolls the ball out. As the coach rolls the ball, they must shout either "bowler's" or "keeper's".
The player must then process this instruction, make the decision, and throw the ball accordingly.
The player on the cone backs the ball up and returns it to the coach. The player who has just thrown then replaces the player who backed the ball up, and the player who was backing up moves around the outside of the drill and joins the back of the queue of players.

Drill is continuous.

COACHING POINTS

You want match intensity? Include the batsman!

For all of the drills it is possible to have two batters running alongside the drill, looking to complete 1 or 2 runs before the fielder finishes their skill.

As a coach, use your initiative and get the batters involved. This added pressure will really tell on the fielders.

You can also time the fielders against each other with a stop watch, recording results.This can either be done in the form of direct competition in the session (between small sub teams or a battle of the individual), or over a number of sessions/season, where you can see if times have improved.

The number of hits a player gets is also a good one to monitor, providing them personal and team tagets per drill/session to meet.

Progressions:

Coach may roll the ball to either side of the player to increase difficultly.

Change the ends around (re-name bowlers and keepers)

Make the throw to the bowler over the top of the stump, so players have to make the decision of not only the correct end, but also the correct throw.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

5 Stump Pentagon Drill:

10-18 players required. (Note diagram for accurate lay-out of drill.) Five stumps required for drill. Three stumps are set up on a diagonal line, 10m apart from each other. The other two stumps are 20m away from these, again on a diagonal but this time they are 20m apart.

The Coach stands at the top on the middle stump.

The drill begins when coach rolls the ball out as shown. Player 1 must sprint around the first stump, change direction and then underarm pick the ball up, aiming to hit the third stump.

Player 2 must anticipate the ball coming towards them, and moves forward off the cone to back the ball up. Player 2 then throws overarm at the base of the next stump.

Player 3 anticipates this happening, and backs the throw up, before throwing the ball over the top of the final stump.

The next player now returns the ball to the coach, and then continues to run around the first stump.

Drill continues, and players follow the ball, moving clockwise to the next station.

Ground fielding and throwing

Four Station Drill:

12 players per group. One stump placed in the middle of a rectangular shape marked out by cones (20m by 30m). Each cone has same number of players at it.

All stations are live every time coach rolls ball out. Coach may roll ball out anywhere they wish.

The nearest player at the cone must call for the ball, pick it up, and throw at the stump. The players from the opposite group in the rectangle are responsible for backing the throw up and returning to the coach.

If the coach rolls the ball down the middle of the two cones the player must decide who goes for the ball as early as possible, to allow the group backing up to adjust accordingly.

Drill continues...

Ground fielding and throwing

Catch and move race:

4 to 8 players per group.

Player 1 rolls the ball out to player 2 who shys at the stumps, meanwhile player 1 has moved behind the stumps (backing up), ready to collect the ball.
Player 2 then runs to player 1's original position.
Player 1 then throws the ball to players 2.
Player 1 now joins back of other group on the opposite side.

Group B do exactly the same.

Ground fielding and throwing

Chase and retrieve:

Player 1 runs out to a stationary ball and throws it in to player 2. Player 2 then rolls the ball back out to 1. Player 1 then replaces the ball and runs back to the group, when he tags player 2 , 2 then goes and so on.

Ground fielding and throwing

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